What Would Be the Reasoning Behind Leaving Class D Amps On?

 

it’s been said multiple times on the forums that it’s best to leave solid state / class d amps on all the time as it sounds better. turn off / unplug solid state equipment if going out of town or bad weather is coming.

tube equipment gets turned off when not being used.

Yes, Riley this has been said many times. Also, I think we all know the general idea that some stuff likes to be warmed up before use. I was, however, looking for more of an explanation as to what is going on in a Class D amp, if anything, that increases the need for more idle time.

For example, I think lots of us will agree that a tube amp warms up enough after say some range--30 minutes to 2 hours--at which point it’s warm and sound performance doesn’t improve anymore. But, with Class D, it seems to many of us that 30 mins to 2 hours might not even do it. So the question is why?

Many folks seem to believe (and I think that includes me) that Class D may need more warm up than say a Class A/B amp. Why would that be? That’s what I’m asking.

I wasn’t looking for the garden variety basis--hey warm up your car, snowblower, etc. and it works better. I wanted to know what is it, if anything about Class D, that seems to give better performance if the unit is nearly always on or on for hours upon hours.

Is there something specific in the topology of this type of amp that lends itself to far more warmup time or always on status?  It's a fascinating technology and I was looking to learn more about that. 

Thank you @oldhvymec .  I have a nice tube preamp here that I may drive the Marantz ruby with just to see how valves fronting Class D sounds.  I did that once before with an NAD M22--I put a Schitt Freya in front of it and it sounded great that way, yet sterile on its own.  The Ruby was voiced by Ken Ishiwata and he really dug tube amps, holographic pictures of sound and 3D imaging.  So it's not as dry as that NAD that I had. 

Next time I'm 6 drinks in and talking hifi with someone who cares or is not bored of me, I'm going to say this plebeian thing....

When Class A/B idles, it's only running at say 1000 rpm--to use a motor analogy. 

When Class D idles, it's only running at say 100 rpm.  So, Class D needs longer idle times to keep stuff warm because its rpms are so low. 

PS. I have a masters degree in BS, but it sounds good. 🤣

"What's the science behind why they sound better."

You're asking people on this forum about science as it relates to audiophilia? That's hilarious.

mrskeptic what is that suppose to imply? That you're tough to please or everyone on AG has a lack of some type of higher education. A higher education doesn't always equate to wisdom about a subject. Nor do fact that others have obtained in their class rooms always stand the test of time. Science is malleable these days. Just depends where you look and what you chose to educate yourself with.

Me I'll try anything at the neighbors house. I have 2 2" fire hoses I can hook to the hydrant in 2 minutes, FIRES OUT.

Science at work, hydraulics 101.

And be nice, your a newbie. Sure you are.. :-)